New and Strange Book 2

Heavenly Smells In Hell

William walked down the hall, letting out a loud yawn as he made his way to the kitchen, fully intending to get a cup of coffee before he started another day in the hotel. Everyone seemed to be warming up to him, everyone except for Alastor and Elizabeth. Though, considering Alastor wasn't constantly looking at him like he was about to kill him, William thought that was something close to improvement.

He...He didn't blame Eliza and Alastor for being tense around him, he would be too if he were in their positions. Still, he did wish that there was something he could do to make up for what he had done to them. At least everyone else would at least talk to him, though Angel Dust seemed a little put off with him. Then again, the spider demon was dating his son, so it made sense that Angel wouldn't really be sure how to act around him.

Surprisingly, Will got along rather well with Vaggie, even helping her with various duties she had as a manager of the hotel. Though she put on a tough exterior, and was rather harsh to him at first, she was actually a rather kind soul, it just took patience to allow her to feel comfortable enough to show that side of herself. William couldn't help but wonder if Vaggie would be the first soul to be redeemed, if the princess's idea of redemption for damned souls proved to be more than just a dream. Out of everyone William had met in Hell, the lover of the princess seemed just the type to end up in Heaven.

As Will made it to the kitchen, he stopped, a smell wafting into his nose. The smell of sausage was coming from the kitchen, as well as the sound of the radio playing in the background, a lovely voice humming along to the tune. William began to open the door, revealing Elizabeth already in the kitchen, cooking up what looked like sausage and gravy on toast.

It wasn't like Will had never seen Eliza in the kitchen before, he'd in fact seen her cook more time than he could count. A small smile formed on his lips as the memories of all of those mornings where he'd woken up to her singing her favorite songs while she cooked breakfast played in his head. It was always blues songs whenever she made breakfast, french love songs with lunch, and her favorite jazz songs when she cooked up supper. He'd always loved hearing her sing while she cooked, it was the main reason why he believed that there was at least a little bit of good in the world.

"Um...good morning." William spoke just loud enough for Eliza to hear him, not wanting to stand in the doorway like a creep all morning.

Eliza stopped mid song, turning to look at him, "Oh- good mornin'." She got incredibly quiet, turning back to the gravy she was stirring.

Will walked into the kitchen, starting the process of making a pot of coffee, "Want any?"

"Sure."

"Still drink it like you always did?"

"Yes."

William pulled down two mugs, grabbing the sugar and milk, as well as the honey, "Smells great."

"Just thought I'd make somethin' before everyone got up. Alastor's actually been sleepin' a bit more now that he's with Angel, but I forgot that ya always were an early riser."

"Well, old habits die hard...even when you're dead." William hoped he didn't sound to uncomfortable, unsure of what to really say to the woman he at one point was going to marry.

"...how did ya die, William? If ya don't mind me askin'."

Will shrugged, "I got sick. Caught tuberculosis. You?"

"...murder."

William nearly dropped the sugar he was about to put into his mug, "Oh jeeze Eliza, I didn't mean-"

"It's fine, William, I don't really think about it much anyway." Eliza didn't look at him, focusing on getting plates ready for everyone.

"...if you ever need to talk about it-"

"It's. Fine." Eliza set a plate down a little too hard, sending a loud clank through the kitchen.

William decided it would be best if he dropped the subject, going back to making them both a cup of coffee, adding a little honey into Eliza's cup instead of sugar. Once both cups were made, he set Elizabeth's on the counter by the stove, leaning against the counter while he sipped from his own mug. It was a few long minutes before he tried to break the silence again.

"You said Alastor's staring to sleep more, did he not before?"

"He always had trouble sleepin', but Angel seems to help with that. It's nice seein' him takin' better care of himself." Elizabeth smiled a little, she couldn't help it when she was talking about her son.

Will felt a little better seeing her smile, "So...can I ask what you think about Charlie's whole redemption idea?"

"What do ya mean?"

"Do you think it could actually work?"

"As a matter of fact, I do." Eliza finished filling up plates and grabbed her coffee mug, sipping from it and letting out a little pleased sigh, "After all, her father fell from Heaven, so who's to say a demon can't rise from Hell?"

"It does make sense if you put it like that." William admitted.

"Coffee's good by the way, thank ya."

"It's no problem."

"I gotta go wake everyone up for breakfast. Would ya mind settin' the table?"

"Not at all, I'm glad to help." William grinned, straightening up a bit.

For a moment, Elizabeth smiled at him, looking as if everything was normal, and fine, then seemed to remember everything that had happened between the two of them, and cleared her throat, starting to walk out of the kitchen, "I'll be back in a bit."

William watched her leave, feeling his heart sink a bit. For a brief moment, he got to feel as if he and Eliza were on good terms again, like maybe they had a chance at perhaps at least being friends, but of course he'd been kidding himself. Elizabeth had every right to keep him at a distance, he shouldn't expect anything more than that. All he could do was respect her decision...and he would.